IL131981A - Display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular display unit (10) comprising: a support rod (12); and a substantially rigid 219 ז' באייר התשס" א - April 30, 2001 transparent pocket (14) supported in one side of said support rod. פירוט זה נבחן בהתאם לתקנה 35 לתקנות הפטנטים, תשכ" ח-1968 This specification was examined in accordance with regulation 35 of the Patent Regulations, 5728-1968.

Description

nmt) ivf>h> DISPLAY UNIT 847-99AP.DOC D-7 16.9.1999 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to display units in general and, in particular, to a room divider incorporating a plurality of changeable display units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Display units of many kinds have long been known in the art. These include transparent signs which permit insertion of a poster or other picture behind a transparent sheet to permit easy viewing of the picture while preventing damage thereto.

There is known, for example, a modular floor stand described in US 5,915,656 to Grewe which is made primarily of modular components and used for displaying various display materials. The floor stand includes a frame assembly supported on a horizontal support assembly which is connected to a vertical support member and, in turn, to a base member. The vertical support member includes tab members or telescopic support members for holding the frame.

A different example is shown in US 5,433,036 to Ganal which describes a winged picture frame stand for sitting on a flat horizontal surface, such as a table. The picture frame stand consists of a structure for displaying, in a vertical radial arrangement, a plurality of pictures each in a transparent wing member. This device is preferably small, and it is difficult to view a plurality of pictures on display at the same time There are also known a variety of wall boards on which notices, pictures, etc. are displayed. Such wall boards are found in such locations as schools, offices, real estate agents, travel agents, etc. These can include cork boards where the notices are affixed with tacks, or boards on which notices are taped or glued. These generally present an untidy appearance, since there is no fixed location to permit easy viewing of each individual notice. One solution to this problem is provided in IL Patent 65696 to Ruth Bar-Lev which provides a wall board for advertising public announcements including a support fixedly mountable on a wall, a set of panels on which announcements are adapted to be temporarily affixed, and a releasable rod having a plurality of U-shaped arms for carrying the panels.

A number of different display racks are also known in the art. These include a display rack consisting of flat pane display frames to be interconnected by coupling members, described in US 4,977,696 to Johansson. The frames in this display rack include 131981/2 corner pieces and side frame members, and the frames are interconnected at nearby corners via coupling members. Another display system is described in US 5,537,766 to Nickens. This portable trade show display panel system includes a plurality of panel members, elongate hinge members attached tot he sides of adjacent panel members for rotational movement by at least one adjacent panel member with respect to the other about the longitudinal axis of the elongate hinge members. A protective outer covering surrounds each panel member and hinge member.

A modular sign is known from US 4,604,820 to Edman, which discloses a rectangular frame supporting an assembly of interlocking panel members for outdoor signs. This sign permits the easy exchange and replacement of panel members composing the sign.

A collapsible support and attachment structure for use in portable self-supporting frames for display panels, podiums, and tables is shown in USP 4,727,994 to Beaulieu. The frame includes a base and a plurality of braces adapted to swing to a vertical or a collapsed position. A pair of such frames can be placed near one another, and display panels or sheets connected between the first and second structures.

Furthermore, there have long been known a variety of room dividers and other partitions for separating areas in a large space. These partitions are often decorative, being designed aesthetically to be viewed, but do not permit the replacement of pictures or decorative works or display materials mounted on the partition.

Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a simple display unit in which pictures can be viewed from one or both sides, and it would be very desirable to have such a display unit which can be incorporated into a room divider or partition, thereby permitting exchange and replacement of pictures, advertisements, inner office mail, brochures, notices, etc. on display in the partition, and an option to display materials which are to be highlighted among other items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a modular display unit including a support rod, a substantially rigid transparent pocket supported in one side of the support rod, and a substantially rigid transparent label holder supported in another side of the support rod for simultaneous viewing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the modular display unit further includes two side supports, in which the support rod can be mounted.

Further according to an embodiment of the invention, the modular display unit includes a plurality of support rods, each supporting a substantially rigid transparent pocket, the plurality of support rods being mounted between a pair of side supports so as to form a vertical partition.

Still further according to the invention, the modular display unit includes hinges for coupling a plurality of such vertical partitions to form a room divider.

There is also provided in accordance with the present invention a room partition including at least one panel including a pair of vertical supports, and at least two horizontal support rods, each horizontal support rod being coupled to a transparent pocket permitting display of replaceable material in the pocket for viewing from both sides of the room divider.

Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided a kit for constructing a modular display partition including at least one pair of vertical support elements, at least two horizontal support rods, at least two transparent pockets, each arranged for coupling to a horizontal support rod. 131981/3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration of a modular display unit constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2a is a sectional view of the modular display unit of Fig. 1 , taken along line A-A; Fig. 2b is a sectional view of the modular display unit of Fig. 1, taken along line B-B; Fig. 2c is a sectional view of a modular display unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a partition formed of modular display units according to the present invention; Fig. 4a is a front view of a partition according to Fig. 3 for use in a kindergarten or children's bedroom; Fig. 4b is a front view of a partition according to Fig. 3 for use in a hospital, beauty salon, restaurant, etc.; Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate alternative ways to couple display units according to the present invention; Fig. 6b illustrates schematically a kit for constructing a partition according to the present invention shown in Fig. 6a; Fig. 7 is an exploded detail view of a portion of the partition of Fig. 6a; Figs. 8a and 8b are respective schematic front and side views of a modular display unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figs. 9a and 9b are respective schematic front and side views of a modular display unit according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 10 is a schematic side view of a modular display unit according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 1 1 is a schematic front view of a modular display unit according to yet another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the modular display unit according to one embodiment of the invention; and 131981/1 Fig. 13 is a sectional view of a profile suitable for forming the modular display unit 11. 131981/2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to modular display units and to room dividing partitions which can be formed by joining a plurality of such display units. The modular display unit of the present invention is characterized by the fact that it includes a transparent pocket for displaying material, preferably for viewing from both the front and the back of the display unit. The pocket can be thin, for displaying a single sheet, or wider, so as to hold a plurality of sheets which can be taken out one by one by viewers. The display material can be the same in both sides of the pocket or can be different. It is a particular feature of the invention that material displayed in the pocket can be quickly and easily replaced, merely by sliding out the old material and inserting the new. The display unit can be a stand alone unit, or a modular element in a larger unit.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the display unit further includes a shelf disposed beneath one or more transparent pocket. The shelf can be utilized to hold a sample or additional material, or can be used to display materials which one wants to highlight among other items, such as new items in a show room or a supermarket. In this case, an explanatory brochure or picture can be placed in the pocket behind the item, or a mirror can be placed on the pocket, to permit viewing of the rear of the object or material, as well as the front.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a perspective illustration of a modular display unilO constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Modular display unit 10 includes a support rod 12 in which a substantially rigid transparent pocket 14 is supported. In the illustrated embodiment, seen in detail in Figs. 2a and 2b, pocket 14 is affixed, as by screws 16, in a groove 18 in one side of the support rod 12. According to this embodiment, a single transparent pocket is provided for viewing from both sides, i.e., front and back. This is both economical and aesthetic. Alternatively, a second pocket can be added in a second groove in support rod 12, as shown in Fig. 2c.

It will be appreciated that, while the invention has been illustrated herein as including the pocket hanging from the support rod, the support rod can alternatively be located beneath the pocket and support the bottom thereof, or can support the pocket from one side.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular display unit also includes a substantially rigid transparent label holder 20 mounted in another side of the 131981/2 support rod 12 for simultaneous viewing with material in transparent pocket 14. This embodiment is particularly useful where it is desired to provide a description of the material on display on a label. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the label holder 20 is slideably inserted into a pair of grooves 22 in the top of the support rod, and viewable through a cutaway portion 24 of the support rod.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a perspective view of a partition 30 formed of modular display units according to the present invention. Partition 30 includes at least one, and preferably several, vertical partition panels 32. Each vertical partition panel 32 includes a pair of vertical supports 34, and at least one, and preferably a plurality of, modular display units 36. Each vertical support 34 can be a single, integral unit, or can be composed of several smaller elements joined together.

It will be appreciated that the height of partition 30, or of each panel 32, can be changed depending upon the number and size of modular display units in each panel. Similarly, the width of the partition 30 is determined by the number and size of panels 32 joined side by side. Each modular display unit 36 includes a horizontal support rod 38 to which one or more transparent pockets 40 are coupled. Transparent pocket 40 permits display of replaceable material in the pocket for viewing from both sides of the partition. It will be appreciated that the size of the pocket can be selected in accordance with the typical size of material to be displayed therein.

Preferably, several panels 30 are provided, as shown in Fig. 3, and are hinged to one another, as by two way hinges 44, permitting the partition to be arranged with the panels in any relationship to one another. The example in Fig. 3 is a linear arrangement of panels. A number of alternative arrangements are shown in top view in Figs. 5a and 5b, wherein a plurality of panels 30 are coupled to one another about a central pole 46.

The modular display unit can be formed of any suitable material. Preferably, the transparent pockets are formed of perspex or transparent plastic, and the support rods and vertical supports of light weight aluminum, wood or plastic. The display unit can be painted any color or decorated with any design.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that it is extremely versatile. It can be used in any location wherein it is desired to display a number of pictures or other material, which can be replaced at frequent intervals. For example, such a partition is particularly useful in a kindergarten, or as a room divider in a children's bedroom. In such a 131981/2 case, one row of display units can be replaced by a fixed design, as seen in Fig. 4a, or a random selection of display units can be replaced by decorated or opaque units. The embodiment including label holders is also ideal for a travel agent, real estate agency, convention hall, or other similar location wherein it is desired to display a number of pictures or brochures and label each display.

Alternatively, the partition can include an opaque area, such as a conventional cork board area, for example, up to table height (about 75 cm), in addition to the modular display units of the invention, for use in a hospital, beauty salon, restaurant, etc., as shown in Fig. 4b.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that a single, relatively narrow partition permits viewing of different pictures and information from both the front and the back of the partition.

It will be appreciated that the partition or room divider of the present invention is particularly suited to do-it-yourself construction. Thus, the partition exemplified in Fig. 6a can be marketed as a kit, as illustrated schematically in Fig. 6b. As seen here, a kit for constructing a panel 50 (substantially similar to panel 30) would include two vertical supports 52, at least one support rod 54, here illustrated as four support rods, a transparent pocket 56 for each support rod, a plurality of label holders 58, if desired, a cover member 60, and hinges 62. An optional standing base 64 can be provided to add stability to the finished partition. Alternatively, elongate legs (not shown) can be provided underneath each vertical support as a stabilizing element, particularly for a single panel, to prevent the panel or partition from falling over and obviating the need for a separate stabilizing base. In addition, a separate label holder unit 66 (as seen in Fig. 3) can be provided if it is desired to label the displayed material from the bottom instead of from the top. In this case, the label holder unit is inserted first between vertical supports 52 so as to seat near the bottom of the profile.

One method of constructing a partition from the kit of Fig. 6b is illustrated in Fig. 7, by way of example only. In this example, vertical supports 52 are U-shaped profiles into which support rod 54 slides to the desired location. Support rod 54 is then affixed in place, as by bolts. Additional support rods 54 holding transparent pockets are inserted between vertical supports 52, until the partition reaches the desired height (number of units). A top 7 131981/3 cover element 60 is provided to prevent unauthorized removal of the support rods and to finish the partition in an aesthetic manner.

Referring now to Figs. 8a and 8b, there are shown respective front and side schematic illustrations of a partition 70 constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Partition 70 includes a pair of vertical support rods 72 between which a substantially rigid transparent pocket 74 is supported. Partition 70 also includes a shelf 76 mounted beneath one or more pockets for displaying an object whose brochure is placed in the pocket, or for holding other material. It will be appreciated that, alternatively, more than one shelf can be provided in partition 70. A shelf 76 can be provided beneath, or instead of, each pocket, or only one or two shelves can be utilized on the entire partition. Shelves 76 can be mounted on either or both sides of the display unit.

According to one embodiment of the invention, pocket 74 includes, or is covered by, a mirrored surface 78. This permits a viewer to view the side of an object facing the pocket, which would be difficult to view otherwise.

Referring now to Figs. 9a and 9b, there are shown respective front and side schematic illustrations of a partition 80 constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Partition 80 includes a pair of vertical supports 82 in which a substantially rigid transparent pocket 84 is supported. Partition 80 also includes one or more supported shelves 86 mounted at the bottom of the partition. Supported shelf 86 serves to hold material or display an object, such as at the point of sale in a department store, or displaying an item in a showroom. Supported shelf 86 also acts as a stabilizing element to prevent partition 80 from falling over and obviates the need for a separate stabilizing base. A supported shelf 86 can be mounted on one side (Fig. 9b) or both sides (Fig. 10) of the partition.

With further reference to Fig. 10, there is shown a side schematic illustration of a partition 90 constructed and operative in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Partition 90 includes a pair of vertical supports 92 in which a substantially rigid transparent pocket 94 is supported. Partition 90 also includes one or two illumination shelves 96 mounted at the top of the partition or over one or more pockets 94. Illumination shelf 96 includes a light source 98 for illuminating at least a portion of the partition, and suitable wiring or internal power source (not shown) coupled to light source 98. Light source 98 can be directed along the pockets on the partition, or downwards onto 8 131981/ 3 an object on a shelf below. Alternatively, light source 98 can serve as a spotlight for a pocket 94 beneath it. Illumination shelves 96 can be mounted on one or both sides of the partition.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments of Figs. 8a to 10 can also be sold as do-it-yourself kits. In this case, additional elements for shelves, light fixtures, and/or supported shelves would be added to the kit, as desired.

Referring now to Fig. 11, there is shown a schematic front view of a modular display unit 100 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Modular display unit 100 includes a plurality of support rods 112 in which one or more substantially rigid transparent pockets 114 are supported. Support rods 112 are mounted between a pair of vertical supports 116. Each vertical support 116 can be a single, integral unit, or can be composed of several smaller elements joined together, as shown in Fig. 11. According to this embodiment, each vertical support 116 includes a plurality of profile elements 118 mounted one on top of another on a metal bar or held together by metal connectors (not shown).

In the illustrated embodiment, seen in detail in Fig. 12, support rods 112 include a label-receiving groove 120 on a surface thereof. Labels, with or without semi-rigid plastic covers, can easily be inserted into or removed from grooves 120.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular display unit is formed of modular profile units, which serve as both support rods 112 and vertical supports 116, as well as a cross bar or cover 122 along the top of the display unit. One particularly suitable profile 130 is shown in cross-section in Fig. 13. As can be seen, profile 130 includes a central, square aperture 132. A metal or strong, rigid plastic connector 134 (see Fig. 12), preferably having a square cross section, seats in square aperture 132 to support the profile as a horizontal support bar 112. Similarly, a plurality of profile units can be mounted adjacent one another, coupled by connectors, preferably having a square cross section, to form vertical supports 116. A pair of label-receiving grooves 136 can be formed in profile 130 during extrusion. Alternatively, a metal or rigid plastic bar can be utilized, instead of connectors 134, to hold the profile units together. Adjacent panels can be coupled to one another by means of hinge elements 135 which pivotally connect the profile units.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the invention that profile 130 includes a T-shaped track 138. At least one, and preferably two or more, T-shaped hangers 140 (Figs. 11 and 12) are coupled to the transparent pockets which are to be hung from the support 131981/ 2. rods. In this way, the pockets can easily be inserted and removed from the support rods during assembly and disassembly, merely by sliding T-shaped hangers 140 along T-shaped track 138 in profile 130. As can be seen in Fig. 11, a single, elongate pocket 114' can be provided in a support rod 112, or one or more smaller pockets 114, each having its own T-shaped hangers. It will be appreciated that this embodiment is particularly suited for Do-It- Yourself assembly. Thus, a plurality of profile sections and a plurality of pockets with T-shaped hangers can be provided in a kit, together with bars of different lengths, for mixing and matching by the customer to form a modular display partition.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that a single, relatively narrow partition permits viewing of different pictures and information from both the front and the back of the partition. Alternatively, with one look, one can view an item displayed on a shelf combined with several catalogues, pictures, or diagrams describing the item.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.

Claims (32)

1. A modular display unit comprising: a plurality of support rods; each support rod supporting a substantially rigid transparent pocket; said plurality of support rods being mounted between a pair of side supports so as to form a vertical partition panel.

2. The modular display unit of claim 1, further comprising a substantially rigid transparent label holder supported in another side of said support rod for simultaneous viewing with said transparent pocket.

3. The modular display unit of claim 1, further comprising a label-receiving groove formed on a surface of said support rod for simultaneous viewing with said transparent pocket.

4. The modular display unit of any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plurality of hinges for coupling said vertical partition panel to another vertical partition panel.

5. The modular display unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of said side supports includes a plurality of profile elements mounted one on top of the other on a solid bar.

6. The modular display unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: each of said support rods includes a T-shaped track in one side thereof; and each of said pockets is coupled to a T-shaped hanger arranged to seat in said T-shaped track.

7. The modular display unit of any of claims 1-6, further comprising a shelf mounted beneath said pocket. 11 131981/

8. The modular display unit of any of claims 1-6, further comprising a shelf mounted on said support bar instead of said pocket.

9. The modular display unit of any of claims 1-8, wherein said pocket includes a mirror surface.

10. The modular display unit of any of claims 1-8, wherein each said support rod includes a profile unit including a central, connector-receiving aperture and a T-shaped track for receiving at least one T-shaped hanger.

11. The modular display unit according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said profile unit further includes a pair of label-receiving grooves on a surface of the profile unit.

12. A partition comprising at least one vertical partition panel including: a pair of vertical supports; and at least two horizontal support rods, each said horizontal support rod being coupled to a substantially rigid transparent pocket permitting display of replaceable material in the pocket viewable from both sides of the partition.

13. The partition according to claim 12, comprising a plurality of vertical partition panels hingedly coupled to one another.

14. The partition according to claim 12, wherein said vertical partition panels are coupled to one another in a linear arrangement.

15. The partition according to claim 12, wherein said vertical partition panels are coupled to one another about a central pole.

16. The partition according to any of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a label-receiving groove formed on a surface of said support rod for simultaneous viewing with said transparent pocket. 12 131981/1

17. The partition according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein each of said side supports includes a plurality of profile elements mounted one on top of the other on a solid bar.

18. The partition according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein: each of said support rods includes a T-shaped track in one side thereof; and each of said pockets is coupled to a T-shaped hanger arranged to seat in said T-shaped track.

19. The partition according to any of claims 12-18, further comprising at least one shelf mounted between said pair of vertical supports.

20. The partition according to any of claims 12-19, wherein said pocket includes a mirror surface.

21. The partition according to any of claims 12-20, further comprising at least one supported shelf mounted between said pair of vertical supports at the bottom of the partition.

22. The partition according to any of claims 12-21, further comprising at least one illumination shelf mounted between said pair of vertical supports.

23. The partition according to claim 22, wherein each said illumination shelf includes a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the partition.

24. The partition according to any of claims 12-23, wherein each said support rod includes a profile unit including a central, connector-receiving aperture and a T-shaped track for receiving at least one T-shaped hanger.

25. The partition according to claim 24, wherein said profile unit further includes a pair of label-receiving grooves on a surface of the profile unit. 13 131981/1

26. A kit for constructing a modular display partition, the kit comprising: at least one pair of vertical support elements; at least two horizontal support rods arranged to be mounted between said vertical support elements; and at least two substantially rigid transparent pockets, each pocket arranged for coupling to a horizontal support rod.

27. The kit according to claim 26, further comprising at least two label holders, each arranged for coupling to a horizontal support rod adjacent a transparent pocket.

28. The kit according to claim 26, further comprising a label-receiving groove formed on a surface of said support rod for simultaneous viewing with said transparent pocket.

29. The kit according to any of claims 26 to 28, wherein each of said side supports includes a plurality of profile elements mounted one on top of the other on a solid bar.

30. The kit according to any of claims 26 to 29, wherein: each of said support rods includes a T-shaped track in one side thereof; and each of said pockets is coupled to a T-shaped hanger arranged to seat shaped track.

31. The kit according to any of claims 26-30, wherein each said support rod includes a profile unit including a central, connector-receiving aperture and a T-shaped track for receiving at least one T-shaped hanger.

32. The kit according to claim 31, wherein said profile unit further includes a pair of label-receiving grooves on a surface of the profile 847-99AM3.DOC D-1 1